05.11.05 – Photos: J.D. Crenshaw / For SHOWTIME – In a highly-anticipated match up of former Golden Gloves champions, Oklahoma native Allan Green knocked out Jaidon Codrington shortly after the opening bell, on “ShoBox: The New Generation.” The fight was waved off 18 seconds into the first round as Codrington, unconscious, fell through the ropes. Codrington remained out on the canvas for roughly three minutes before regaining consciousness. Codrington was taken to Integris Baptist Regional Health Center in Miami where initial reports indicated that he had suffered a fractured sixth vertebrae. Doctors have since retracted that diagnosis, according to promoter Lou Dibella, and Codrington was released after neurological tests and CAT scans of the vertebrae came back negative. A full recovery is expected.
In the night’s main event, Sechew Powell continued his progress as a light middleweight prospect, taking a unanimous decision, scored 100-90 and 97-93 twice, against hard-hitting Archak Ter-Meliksetian. SHOWTIME televised the DiBella Entertainment doubleheader from the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla., at 11 p.m. ET/PT..
Powell (18-0, 11 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y., boxed smoothly and punched sharply en route to a convincing victory. After hitting the canvas in his two previous “ShoBox” outings, Powell went toe-to-toe with the strongest puncher he had faced in his career in Ter-Meliksetian, and did not get hurt. Powell counter punched effectively and had better mobility and upper-body movement. The slick southpaw hurt his left hand midway through the fight but did not stop his assault. According to ShoBox ringside analyst Steve Farhood, Powell could be one-to-two fights from major title contention.
Ter-Meliksetian (15-2, 12 KOs), of Yavard, showed that he could hit hard at times and was quicker than expected. The International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 12 contender had never been passed the sixth round in his career, but seemed to be the busier fighter later.
In the telecast’s opening bout, Green (18-0, 12 KOs) of Tulsa, Okla., attacked Codrington (9-1, 9 KOs) from the first bell. He landed a left hook, then a body shot, followed by a right cross, another body shot and a right cross that brought Codrington’s hands down. Green finished him with a flush left hook to the jaw that sent Codrington face-first through the ropes. Green, a “ShoBox” veteran, showed he is a force to be reckoned with in the super-middleweight division.
The bouts will be replayed on SHOWTIME TOO Saturday at midnight, on SHOWTIME EXTREME Monday at 8 p.m. and Wednesday at 11:30 p.m. and back on SHOWTIME TOO Thursday at 11 p.m.
SHOWTIME’S incredible weekend of boxing continues Saturday when undefeated Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy defends his International Boxing Federation (IBF) and International Boxing Organization (IBO) super middleweight titles against IBF No. 5 contender Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, Nov. 5, 2005, at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). Gary Shaw Productions, LLC will promote the event from Caesars Tahoe in Lake Tahoe, Nev. In the co-feature, IBF Bantamweight Champion Rafael Marquez will defend his belt for the sixth time when he takes on International Boxing Organization (IBO) 118-pound Champion/IBF No. 1 contender, Silence Mabuza.
“ShoBox: The New Generation” features up-and-coming prospects determined to make a mark and eventually fight for a chance at a world title. The best of the new generation of hungry, young boxers will have an opportunity to showcase their talent and heart as they battle each other in competitive fights in front of a national television audience. “ShoBox: The New Generation” is pure, basic boxing, reminiscent of the golden days of the sport.
Nick Charles called Friday’s action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of the telecast was Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing.
For information on “ShoBox: The New Generation” and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, including complete fighter bios, records, related stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME website at http://www.sho.com/boxing